Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
08-08-2007, 02:24 PM
#42
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,118
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
1. More does = More deer = More Bucks
This is true but we must be sure not to go over the carrying capacity. Which in several cases some areas could definitely support more deer. I know for a fact that there is just as much food here in Northern MO as there is in Illinois but not near as many deer. But the MO biologists keep emphasizing overpopulation. I think in many cases more does tags mean more money for the state.
2. Bucks will have more does to chase in the fall making them move longer into the season.
Quite the contrary bucks will move less because theyll have all the does they need in one location.
08-08-2007, 02:24 PM
#43
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Missouri
Posts: 3,763
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
ORIGINAL: drhntr178
Yes that is true and it is what keeps the population in check. But what about the sex ratio. I dont see any biologists complaining about the health and unbalance of the turkey population. Does it really affect deer that much?
ORIGINAL: NEW61375
Only thing I can think of is turkeys have far more natural predators than whitetails.
ORIGINAL: drhntr178
I havent read all the posts but Ill throw in my 2 cents...Why does male only harvest work for turkeys but not for deer? In both species the males fight for dominance and extablish a pecking order. the males also mate with multiple females. Why does it work so well for one species and not the other?
(And dont try to throw in the argument about fall turkey season.The few hens harvested then does not even compare to the number of males taken in the spring)
I havent read all the posts but Ill throw in my 2 cents...Why does male only harvest work for turkeys but not for deer? In both species the males fight for dominance and extablish a pecking order. the males also mate with multiple females. Why does it work so well for one species and not the other?
(And dont try to throw in the argument about fall turkey season.The few hens harvested then does not even compare to the number of males taken in the spring)
08-08-2007, 02:27 PM
#45
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 1,118
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
Wouldnt the bucks be helathier if they had all the does they needed without having to compete with other bucks. Not near the stress from fighting and no running around like crazy during the rut. Just another thought.
Maybe more does=healthier bucks.... any arguments on that one.
Maybe more does=healthier bucks.... any arguments on that one.
08-08-2007, 02:28 PM
#46
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southeast, VA
Posts: 2,119
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
Stress from breeding is pretty intense too. Imagine you "bred" up to 20 different females repeatedly over a month. First of all, you da man!! Second, you probably wouldn't have enough energy to tie your shoe.
08-08-2007, 02:32 PM
#47
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Missouri
Posts: 3,763
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
ORIGINAL: NEW61375
Stress from breeding is pretty intense too. Imagine you "bred" up to 20 different females repeatedly over a month. First of all, you da man!! Second, you probably wouldn't have enough energy to tie your shoe.
Stress from breeding is pretty intense too. Imagine you "bred" up to 20 different females repeatedly over a month. First of all, you da man!! Second, you probably wouldn't have enough energy to tie your shoe.
08-08-2007, 02:36 PM
#48
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wisconsin and Canada
Posts: 2,415
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
ORIGINAL: Germ
_dan had made post awhile back about area he hunted that was not hunted by humans. If I recall he said the ratio was like 1:3. maybe he can chime in
_dan had made post awhile back about area he hunted that was not hunted by humans. If I recall he said the ratio was like 1:3. maybe he can chime in
The area that Germ is refering to is about 50-75 sq miles in size. From what I have seen and what my brothers have told me they have seen I come up with a ratio of 1:1.5, max 1:2.
The first time I hunted this area was in 2004 and can gurantee that in the last century there have been MAYBE 6 people in there. This area has lots of wolves, bears and deer. Plus a few moose.
So, I would consider this to be as natural of an environment as I have ever seen. Unspoiled and uninterupted.
Gotta go install windows on the new cabin.......back in an hour.
08-08-2007, 02:36 PM
#49
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,118
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
ORIGINAL: Germ
Here is the question
How many jakes are being shot?
I will ask DNR this week. I am interested to know
Here is the question
How many jakes are being shot?
I will ask DNR this week. I am interested to know
Adult gobblers- 36587
juveniles gobblers- 11022
hens- 849
Adult gobblers make up over 70% of the harvest. Males equaling over 95%
MO has some of the best turkey hunting in the country. Facts like this make me question the whole deer have to be 1:1 or 1:2 to be healthy.
08-08-2007, 02:39 PM
#50
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Posts: 21,043
RE: Is Harvesting Does Really the Right Thing to do?
Maybe more does=healthier bucks.... any arguments on that one.